US3641503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for sensing and counting images disposed on information bearing media having an added counting capability
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1970-04-24
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Granted: 1972-02-08
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Expires: 1990-04-24
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is disclosed for sensing and counting the number of images disposed on an information-bearing medium such as a strip of microfilm. Specifically, a plurality of counting marks are associated with each of the images disposed on the informationbearing medium and are sensed illustratively by a radiationsensing means which detects radiation derived from a suitable source alternately transmitted and intercepted by the counting marks. The radiation-sensing means provides a plurality of signals which are applied to a counting and memory circuit for counting the number of marks that have passed the radiationsensing means. A comparison circuit is provided for producing a signal indicative of a coincidence between counted number of marks and a preselected number indicative of that image which is to be disposed at a utilization station. When a coincidence is so derived, the strip of microfilm will be brought to a stop and the selected images disposed at the utilization station. The counting and memory circuit has a limited capability as to the number of marks which it may count, illustratively determined by the number of decade counters comprising the counting and memory circuit. The counting and memory circuit of this invention is capable of counting numbers of images in excess of its capability and for directing the strip of information-bearing medium in the correct direction to thereby access the selected image at the utilization station.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E Cullen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/10; G03B21/11; G03B21/111; G03B21/113; G06; G06K; G06K17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from a plurality of images recorded on a strip of information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, said apparatus comprising: memory means for receiving and providing a first manifestation of the apparent assigned number of the image to be accessed; means for sensing the images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for counting the sensed images to provide a second manifestation indicative of the apparent number of the sensed images; and comparison means operative in a first mode for comparing the first and second manifestations to determine which of the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode when the difference between the first and second manifestations is greater than a predetermined value to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from a plurality of images recorded on a strip of information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, said apparatus comprising: memory means for receiving and providing a first manifestation of the apparent assigned number of the image to be accessed; means for sensing the images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for counting the sensed images to provide a second manifestation indicative of the apparent number of the sensed images; and comparison means operative in a first mode for comparing the first and second manifestations to determine which of the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode when the difference between the first and second manifestations is greater than a predetermined value to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
224 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from a plurality of images recorded oN a strip of information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, said apparatus comprising: memory means for receiving and for providing a first manifestation of the apparent assigned number of the image to be accessed, said memory means having a given capability for receiving the assigned number of the image to be accessed, means for sensing the images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for counting the sensed images to provide a second manifestation indicative of the apparent number of sensed images; and said means for sensing and counting having a given capability of counting the number of sensed images; and comparison means having a given capability of comparing the first and second manifestations not in excess of the given capability of said memory means and said means for sensing and counting, said comparison means operative in a first mode to indicate whether the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect movement of the strip in a first direction and operative in a second mode when the difference between the first and second manifestations is not less than half the capability of said comparison means, to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
224 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from a plurality of images recorded oN a strip of information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, said apparatus comprising: memory means for receiving and for providing a first manifestation of the apparent assigned number of the image to be accessed, said memory means having a given capability for receiving the assigned number of the image to be accessed, means for sensing the images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for counting the sensed images to provide a second manifestation indicative of the apparent number of sensed images; and said means for sensing and counting having a given capability of counting the number of sensed images; and comparison means having a given capability of comparing the first and second manifestations not in excess of the given capability of said memory means and said means for sensing and counting, said comparison means operative in a first mode to indicate whether the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect movement of the strip in a first direction and operative in a second mode when the difference between the first and second manifestations is not less than half the capability of said comparison means, to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from a plurality of images disposed on a strip of information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, said apparatus comprising: memory means for receiving and providing a first manifestation of the apparent number assigned to the image to be accessed; means for scanning and counting the images beginning with a first image, as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for providing a second manifestation indicative of apparent number of the images sensed by said sensing means; and comparison means operative in a first mode for comparing the first and second manifestations to determine whether the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode when the difference between the first manifestation and the second manifestation for the first image is greater than a predetermined value to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from a plurality of images disposed on a strip of information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, said apparatus comprising: memory means for receiving and providing a first manifestation of the apparent number assigned to the image to be accessed; means for scanning and counting the images beginning with a first image, as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for providing a second manifestation indicative of apparent number of the images sensed by said sensing means; and comparison means operative in a first mode for comparing the first and second manifestations to determine whether the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode when the difference between the first manifestation and the second manifestation for the first image is greater than a predetermined value to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
204 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from an N-number of images recorded on a strip of an information-bearing medium, the images being identified by a sequentially assigned number, said apparatus comprising: memory means having a limited capability for receiving the assigned number of the image to be accessed and for storing a first manifestation of a portion of the assigned number, the portion of the assigned number being dependent upon said capability of said memory means; means having a limited capability for sensing the passage of the images and for providing a second manifestation of a portion of the number of the images sensed as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means; the portion of the number of sensed images being dependent upon said capability of said sensing means and comparison means operative in a first mode to compare the first and second manifestations to determine whether the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and in a second mode, when the difference between the first and second manifestations exceeds a predetermined value to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
204 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from an N-number of images recorded on a strip of an information-bearing medium, the images being identified by a sequentially assigned number, said apparatus comprising: memory means having a limited capability for receiving the assigned number of the image to be accessed and for storing a first manifestation of a portion of the assigned number, the portion of the assigned number being dependent upon said capability of said memory means; means having a limited capability for sensing the passage of the images and for providing a second manifestation of a portion of the number of the images sensed as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means; the portion of the number of sensed images being dependent upon said capability of said sensing means and comparison means operative in a first mode to compare the first and second manifestations to determine whether the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and in a second mode, when the difference between the first and second manifestations exceeds a predetermined value to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
264 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from an N-number of images recorded on a strip of information bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, the first recorded image being assigned to the lowest number and the last recorded image being assigned the number equal to N plus the lowest number, said apparatus comprising: memory meaNs for receiving the assigned number of the image to be accessed and storing a first manifestation of a portion of the assign number, said memory means having a limited capability for receiving the assigned number greater than twice N, the portion of the assigned number being dependent upon said capability of said memory means; means for sensing the passage of the images and for counting the number of sensed images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means to provide a second manifestation of a portion of the number of sensed images, said sensing and counting means having a limited capability of counting greater than twice N, the portion of the number of sensed images being dependent upon said capability of said sensing means; and comparison means operative in a first mode to determine whether the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode, when the difference between the first and second manifestations is not less than half of said capability of either said memory means or said sensing means, to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
264 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from an N-number of images recorded on a strip of information bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, the first recorded image being assigned to the lowest number and the last recorded image being assigned the number equal to N plus the lowest number, said apparatus comprising: memory meaNs for receiving the assigned number of the image to be accessed and storing a first manifestation of a portion of the assign number, said memory means having a limited capability for receiving the assigned number greater than twice N, the portion of the assigned number being dependent upon said capability of said memory means; means for sensing the passage of the images and for counting the number of sensed images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means to provide a second manifestation of a portion of the number of sensed images, said sensing and counting means having a limited capability of counting greater than twice N, the portion of the number of sensed images being dependent upon said capability of said sensing means; and comparison means operative in a first mode to determine whether the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode, when the difference between the first and second manifestations is not less than half of said capability of either said memory means or said sensing means, to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from a number of images recorded on a strip of information-bearing media, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, said apparatus comprising: memory means for receiving the assigned number of the image to be accessed and storing a first manifestation of the apparent number assigned to the image to be accessed; means for scanning and counting the passage of images beginning with the first scanned image as the strip is moved with respect to said scanning and counting means and providing a second manifestation of the apparent number of counted images, and comparison means operative in a first mode to determine whether the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode, when the difference between the first manifestation and the second manifestations for the first scanned image exceeds a predetermined value, to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction to a first direction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
169 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from a number of images recorded on a strip of information-bearing media, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, said apparatus comprising: memory means for receiving the assigned number of the image to be accessed and storing a first manifestation of the apparent number assigned to the image to be accessed; means for scanning and counting the passage of images beginning with the first scanned image as the strip is moved with respect to said scanning and counting means and providing a second manifestation of the apparent number of counted images, and comparison means operative in a first mode to determine whether the first or second manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode, when the difference between the first manifestation and the second manifestations for the first scanned image exceeds a predetermined value, to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction to a first direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
247 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from an N-number of images recorded on a strip of information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, the first image on the strip being assigned the lowest number and the last image on the strip being assigned a number equal to the lowest number plus N, said apparatus comprising: first memory means having a first number of decade storage devices for storing a first manifestation of a corresponding number of digits of the assigned number of the image to be accessed; means for sensing the passage of the images of the strip as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for providing a second manifestation of the number of sensed images; second memory means having a second number of decade storage devices and responsive to the second manifestation of said sensing means for storing a third manifestation a corresponding number of digits of the number of sensed images; and means operative in a first mode for comparing the first and third manifestations sensed to determine which manifestation is greater to effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode when the difference between the first and third manifestations is not less than half the maximum number capable of being stored on either the first or second number of decade storage devices, to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
247 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from an N-number of images recorded on a strip of information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, the first image on the strip being assigned the lowest number and the last image on the strip being assigned a number equal to the lowest number plus N, said apparatus comprising: first memory means having a first number of decade storage devices for storing a first manifestation of a corresponding number of digits of the assigned number of the image to be accessed; means for sensing the passage of the images of the strip as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for providing a second manifestation of the number of sensed images; second memory means having a second number of decade storage devices and responsive to the second manifestation of said sensing means for storing a third manifestation a corresponding number of digits of the number of sensed images; and means operative in a first mode for comparing the first and third manifestations sensed to determine which manifestation is greater to effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode when the difference between the first and third manifestations is not less than half the maximum number capable of being stored on either the first or second number of decade storage devices, to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said comparison means includes logic means responsive to one of the decades of said first memory means and to one of the decade storage devices of the second memory means to determine when the diffeRence is greater.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
258 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from an N-number of images recorded on a strip of an information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, the first image on the strip being assigned the lowest number and the last image on the strip being assigned a number equal to the lowest number plus N, said apparatus comprising: first memory means having an M-number of decade storage devices for storing a first manifestation of a corresponding number of digits of the assigned number of images to be accessed; means for sensing the passage of the images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for providing a second manifestation of the number of sensed images; second memory means having an M-number of decade storage devices and responsive to the second manifestation for storing a third manifestation of a corresponding number of digits of the number of sensed images; and comparison means operative in a first mode to compare the first and third manifestations to determine which manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the s trip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode in response to said Mth decade storage devices of said first and second memory means to determine when the difference between the first and third manifestations sensed is greater than a selected percentage of the maximum number capable of being stored on the M-number of decade storage devices, to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
258 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from an N-number of images recorded on a strip of an information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, the first image on the strip being assigned the lowest number and the last image on the strip being assigned a number equal to the lowest number plus N, said apparatus comprising: first memory means having an M-number of decade storage devices for storing a first manifestation of a corresponding number of digits of the assigned number of images to be accessed; means for sensing the passage of the images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for providing a second manifestation of the number of sensed images; second memory means having an M-number of decade storage devices and responsive to the second manifestation for storing a third manifestation of a corresponding number of digits of the number of sensed images; and comparison means operative in a first mode to compare the first and third manifestations to determine which manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the s trip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode in response to said Mth decade storage devices of said first and second memory means to determine when the difference between the first and third manifestations sensed is greater than a selected percentage of the maximum number capable of being stored on the M-number of decade storage devices, to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the percentage is 50 percent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the percentage is 40 percent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
246 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from an N-number of images recorded on a strip of an information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, the first image on a strip being assigned the lowest number and the last image on the strip being assigned a number equal to the lowest number plus N, said apparatus comprising: first memory means having an M-number of decade storage devices, said aforementioned decade storage devices having first, second and third terminals for providing a first manifestation in binary form of M-digits of the assigned number of the image to be accessed; means for sensing the passage of the images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for providing a second manifestation of the number of the sensed images; second memory means having an M-number of decade storage devices, said aforementioned decade storage devices having first, second and third terminals and responsive to the second manifestation to provide a third manifestation in binary form of M-digits of the number of sensed images; and comparison means operative in a first mode to compare the first and third manifestations to determine which manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode, when the difference between the first manifestation and third manifestation is greater than a predetermined value, to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
246 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from an N-number of images recorded on a strip of an information-bearing medium, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, the first image on a strip being assigned the lowest number and the last image on the strip being assigned a number equal to the lowest number plus N, said apparatus comprising: first memory means having an M-number of decade storage devices, said aforementioned decade storage devices having first, second and third terminals for providing a first manifestation in binary form of M-digits of the assigned number of the image to be accessed; means for sensing the passage of the images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for providing a second manifestation of the number of the sensed images; second memory means having an M-number of decade storage devices, said aforementioned decade storage devices having first, second and third terminals and responsive to the second manifestation to provide a third manifestation in binary form of M-digits of the number of sensed images; and comparison means operative in a first mode to compare the first and third manifestations to determine which manifestation is greater to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode, when the difference between the first manifestation and third manifestation is greater than a predetermined value, to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said comparison means includes a logic means coupled to the first, second and third terminals of both of said Mth decade storage devices of said first and second memory means to determine when the difference between the first manifestation and the second manifestation is greater than the predetermined value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
68 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 wherein said logic means is responsive to a ''''1'''' logic signal derived from the third terminal of said Mth decade storage device of said first memory means and to ''''0 '''' logic signals derived from the first and second terminals of the Mth decade storage device of saiD second memory means to effect the movement of the strip in the second direction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said logic means is responsive to ''''1'''' logic signals derived from the second and third terminal of the Mth decade storage device of said first memory means and to ''''0'''' logic signals derived from the first, second and third terminals of the Mth decade storage device of said second memory means to effect the movement of the strip in the second direction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
237 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from a number of images recorded on a strip of an information-bearing media, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, said apparatus comprising: first memory means having an M-number of decade storage devices, said aforementioned decade storage devices having 8''s, 4''s and 2''s bit terminals for providing a first manifestation in binary form of M-digits of the assigned number of images to be accessed; means for sensing the passage of the images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for providing a second manifestation of the number of sensed images; second memory means having an M-number of storage decade devices, said aforementioned decade storage devices having 8''s, 4''s, and 2''s bit terminals and responsive to the second manifestation for providing a third manifestation of M-digits of the number of sensed images; and comparison means operative in a first mode to compare the first and third manifestations sensed to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode in response to a ''''0'''' signal derived from the 8''s bit of the Mth decade storage device of said first memory means and to ''''0'''' signals derived for the 8''s and 4''s bit of the Mth decade storage device of said second memory means to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
237 words
Apparatus for accessing a selected image from a number of images recorded on a strip of an information-bearing media, the images being identified by sequentially assigned numbers, said apparatus comprising: first memory means having an M-number of decade storage devices, said aforementioned decade storage devices having 8''s, 4''s and 2''s bit terminals for providing a first manifestation in binary form of M-digits of the assigned number of images to be accessed; means for sensing the passage of the images as the strip is moved with respect to said sensing means and for providing a second manifestation of the number of sensed images; second memory means having an M-number of storage decade devices, said aforementioned decade storage devices having 8''s, 4''s, and 2''s bit terminals and responsive to the second manifestation for providing a third manifestation of M-digits of the number of sensed images; and comparison means operative in a first mode to compare the first and third manifestations sensed to thereby effect the movement of the strip in a first direction, and operative in a second mode in response to a ''''0'''' signal derived from the 8''s bit of the Mth decade storage device of said first memory means and to ''''0'''' signals derived for the 8''s and 4''s bit of the Mth decade storage device of said second memory means to effect the movement of the strip in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said comparison means is responsive to ''''1'''' signals derived from the 4''s and 2''s bit terminals of said Mth decade storage device of said first memory means and to ''''0'''' signals derived from the 8''s, 4''s and 2''s bit terminals of said Mth decade storage device of said second memory means to effect the movement of the strip in the second direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |